Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to support the celebration of Ahmadiyya culture in the UK.
DCMS has no specific plans to do so.
Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Taylor this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 221–240 of 313 · this parliament
Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to support the celebration of Ahmadiyya culture in the UK.
DCMS has no specific plans to do so.
SUGGESTED REDRAFT: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review the Overseas Scale Rates to better reflect current economic conditions.
As with all taxes and allowances, the Government keeps flat rates expenses, including Overseas Scale Rates, under review. Any decisions on future changes in this area will be taken in the context of the wider public finances.
Whether the upcoming National Cancer Strategy will outline what steps the NHS will take to work with cancer support charities to support people with cancer (a) physically and (b) mentally (i) before, (ii) during and (iii) after treatment.
My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has announced that a National Cancer Plan for England will be published this year. The Prime Minister’s health mission sets the objective of building a National Health Service fit for the future, and an essential part of this is achieving our goal to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer.The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care including both physical and mental health, to improve the experience and outcomes for people with all cancer types, and at all stages, including metastatic cancers. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years.We are committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. The Department plans to engage cancer partners, charities and those within the cancer community, seeking the views of individuals, professionals and organisations to understand how we can do more to achieve this ambition.To do this, on 4 February 2025, we launched a Call for Evidence, in which the views of people across the country will inform our plan to improve cancer care. Those who wish to share their views can do so on the new online platform, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/shaping-the-national-cancer-plan
If she will publish official crime statistics on tool theft, specifying the types of property stolen from vehicles during offences.
The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of theft from vehicle incidents that involved tools being taken as part of a broader breakdown of items stolen. These estimates are available in Table 6 of Nature of crime: vehicle-related theft. The estimates relate to the households, and will include thefts from self-employed tradesmen, but do not cover crimes where items were taken from commercial vehicles.This government is committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 and support its intentions to fend off the theft and re-sale of high-value equipment. Secondary legislation is required and we hope to have this in place later this year.We are currently considering the views of those who may be affected by the legislation and its regulations, to understand the potential implications and determine scope. We also intend to publish the Government’s response to the Call for Evidence on the scope of the legislation shortly.
Innovation and Technology, how much has been spent on the Charity Research Support Fund since 2010; and what the average income reported from charities by universities is in the same period.
This data is publicly available. Charity income for universities can be found in the HESA website (HE Finance Data | HESA). CRSF allocations can be found on the Research England website (e.g. Research England grant allocations basis 2024 to 2025 – UKRI) and for data pre-dating the creation of Research England in the HEFCE archives (Archive Timeline - UK Government Web Archive).
Whether the Equipment Theft (Protection Act) 2023 will cover tradesperson's tools.
The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of theft from vehicle incidents that involved tools being taken as part of a broader breakdown of items stolen. These estimates are available in Table 6 of Nature of crime: vehicle-related theft. The estimates relate to the households, and will include thefts from self-employed tradesmen, but do not cover crimes where items were taken from commercial vehicles.This government is committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 and support its intentions to fend off the theft and re-sale of high-value equipment. Secondary legislation is required and we hope to have this in place later this year.We are currently considering the views of those who may be affected by the legislation and its regulations, to understand the potential implications and determine scope. We also intend to publish the Government’s response to the Call for Evidence on the scope of the legislation shortly.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the charity research support fund to (a) sustaining research investment from charities in universities and (b) supporting the financial sustainability of universities who receive a large number of charity grants.
UKRI Research England is undertaking a review of their approach to their formula-based research funding, delivered in England through Quality-related Research (QR). This activity is called the Strategic Institutional Research Funding (SIRF) review. The review will consider the fundamental principles and the effectiveness of their current funding allocation mechanisms, in consultation with the higher education sector and wider stakeholders. This review is anticipated to continue until 2030 and will be made up of a number of discrete stages. As part of QR, Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF) is within the scope of this review.
Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve the financial sustainability of charity funded research in universities.
The Government is determined to work with the sector to transition to sustainable research funding models, including by increasing research grant cost recovery. Charity funded research forms a vital part of the UK's R&D landscape, creating valuable research in the life sciences and beyond.
Innovation and Technology, whether he is planning to introduce any new guidelines or regulations for dating app providers to address the risks of online stalking.
This government has set an unprecedented mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. The Online Safety Act forces in scope services to reduce the risk of illegal content being encountered on their services. Platforms must focus on ‘priority offences’, including content which amounts to stalking and must reduce the risk of priority offences being committed on their services.Ofcom is the regulator for this new regime, and it will have extensive enforcement powers to take action where companies do not comply with their new duties.
If he take steps to provide mental health support for victims of tool theft.
We want to ensure that mental health support is available for all who need it. As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future, we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across mental health services in England to reduce delays and provide faster treatment.Anyone in England experiencing a mental health crisis can now to speak to a trained NHS professional at any time of the day through a new mental health option on NHS 111. Trained NHS staff will assess patients over the phone and guide callers with next steps, such organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to alternatives services, such as crisis cafés or safe havens, which provide a place for people to stay as an alternative to accident and emergency or a hospital admission.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to limit the brightness of LED car headlights.
All types of road vehicle headlamps are designed, tested, and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare and ensure safety on a broad range of roads and environments. However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare. The work is underway and is due to deliver in summer 2025.
Whether she has had discussions with train operators on the level of demand for train services at Worcester Park station post Covid-19.
Department officials are in regular conversation with South Western Railway regarding their service provision in response to demand. When reviewing train services, the Department needs to assess business cases and balance demand with value for the taxpayer in its considerations.
What steps his Department has taken to reduce waiting times at women's health hubs.
The Government is committed to encouraging integrated care boards (ICBs) to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hub pilots to improve local delivery of services to women.Women’s health hubs have a key role in shifting care out of hospitals and reducing gynaecology waiting lists. As of December 2024, 39 out of 42 ICBs reported that they had a women’s health hub. Reporting from ICBs to NHS England shows that the pilot funding has been used to open or expand a total of 88 hubs. ICBs are responsible for commissioning services that meet the health care needs of their local population, including women's health hubs.Data on waiting times for women’s health hubs is not collected centrally.
Whether her Department recognises the use of Malaysian driving licenses.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is currently working towards putting in place a driving licence exchange agreement with Malaysia. This is subject to public consultation and the introduction of domestic legislation. Currently, holders of a driving licence issued in Malaysia who become resident in the UK can drive small vehicles (motorcars and motorcycles) for up to 12 months from the date they become resident in the UK. To continue driving after this period the licence holder must apply for a provisional driving licence and pass both a theory and practical driving test here. If the holder of a driving licence issued in Malaysia is only visiting the UK they can drive using their Malaysian licence for up to 12 months from the date they last entered the UK.
What steps she is taking to help tackle tool theft in Sutton and Cheam constituency.
We recognise the negative impact theft has on victims who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living, including small businesses.We are continuing to work with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and industry via the Combined Industries Theft Solutions forum to explore ways to tackle and prevent the theft of tools.The Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI) is a not-for-profit, police-owned organisation that works on behalf of Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to deliver crime prevention and reduction initiatives across the UK. It also provides crime prevention advice: Secured by Design - Vans & Tool Theft.A key part of making acquisitive crime less attractive to criminals is making stolen goods harder to sell on. That is why we are working closely with policing and academic leads to examine what more can be done to tackle the disposal markets for stolen goods and reduce the profit from acquisitive crime.The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of incidents that involved tools being stolen in personal theft offences. These estimates are available in Table 3b of Nature of crime: personal and other theft. They provide estimates of theft of tools against individuals, including those who are self-employed but do not cover crimes against commercial premises. These estimates cover England and Wales, but no regional breakdown is available.
What steps her Department is taking to stop the reselling of stolen tools.
We recognise the negative impact theft has on victims who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living, including small businesses.We are continuing to work with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and industry via the Combined Industries Theft Solutions forum to explore ways to tackle and prevent the theft of tools.The Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI) is a not-for-profit, police-owned organisation that works on behalf of Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to deliver crime prevention and reduction initiatives across the UK. It also provides crime prevention advice: Secured by Design - Vans & Tool Theft.A key part of making acquisitive crime less attractive to criminals is making stolen goods harder to sell on. That is why we are working closely with policing and academic leads to examine what more can be done to tackle the disposal markets for stolen goods and reduce the profit from acquisitive crime.The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of incidents that involved tools being stolen in personal theft offences. These estimates are available in Table 3b of Nature of crime: personal and other theft. They provide estimates of theft of tools against individuals, including those who are self-employed but do not cover crimes against commercial premises. These estimates cover England and Wales, but no regional breakdown is available.
Whether her Department collects data on the (a) frequency and (b) geographical distribution of tool theft in London.
We recognise the negative impact theft has on victims who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living, including small businesses.We are continuing to work with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and industry via the Combined Industries Theft Solutions forum to explore ways to tackle and prevent the theft of tools.The Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI) is a not-for-profit, police-owned organisation that works on behalf of Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to deliver crime prevention and reduction initiatives across the UK. It also provides crime prevention advice: Secured by Design - Vans & Tool Theft.A key part of making acquisitive crime less attractive to criminals is making stolen goods harder to sell on. That is why we are working closely with policing and academic leads to examine what more can be done to tackle the disposal markets for stolen goods and reduce the profit from acquisitive crime.The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of incidents that involved tools being stolen in personal theft offences. These estimates are available in Table 3b of Nature of crime: personal and other theft. They provide estimates of theft of tools against individuals, including those who are self-employed but do not cover crimes against commercial premises. These estimates cover England and Wales, but no regional breakdown is available.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce the waiting lists for gynealogical referals in London.
Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need. At the end of November 2024, the gynaecology waiting list in London stood at 99,018, with 57.1% of patient pathways waiting less than 18 weeks.As set out in the Plan for Change, we have committed to return to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients, including those waiting for gynaecology services, wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029.There are a range of efforts underway, nationally and in London, to reduce the time patients are waiting for gynaecological care. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the productivity and reform efforts we will undertake to return to the 18-week standard, and will ensure that patients have the best possible experience while they wait. This includes commitments to support innovative models that offer patients care closer to home, in the community, and piloting gynaecology pathways in community diagnostic centres for patients with post-menopausal bleeding. We have also committed to increasing the relative funding available to support gynaecology procedures with the largest waiting lists and reviewing support options from the independent sector.
What support the Government provides to small businesses impacted by tool theft.
We recognise the negative impact theft has on victims who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living, including small businesses.We are continuing to work with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and industry via the Combined Industries Theft Solutions forum to explore ways to tackle and prevent the theft of tools.The Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI) is a not-for-profit, police-owned organisation that works on behalf of Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to deliver crime prevention and reduction initiatives across the UK. It also provides crime prevention advice: Secured by Design - Vans & Tool Theft.A key part of making acquisitive crime less attractive to criminals is making stolen goods harder to sell on. That is why we are working closely with policing and academic leads to examine what more can be done to tackle the disposal markets for stolen goods and reduce the profit from acquisitive crime.The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of incidents that involved tools being stolen in personal theft offences. These estimates are available in Table 3b of Nature of crime: personal and other theft. They provide estimates of theft of tools against individuals, including those who are self-employed but do not cover crimes against commercial premises. These estimates cover England and Wales, but no regional breakdown is available.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the global immunisation of children living in poverty.
The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We have supported Gavi to immunise 300 million children and save up to 8 million lives from vaccine-preventable diseases. Since 2000, Gavi has vaccinated more than 1 billion children, saving over 18 million lives. We have committed £1.65 billion to the current strategic period for Gavi, covering 2021-2025.